Julie Simpson: Candidate Profile

Back to Hawthorn District 73 School Board

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Vernon HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hawthorn District 73 School Board Age: 35Family: Husband JakeIsaac age 7Nathan age 6 monthsOccupation: Stay at home momEducation: Studied Political Science at Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I am running for the D73 School Board because I have been disappointed with recent decisions the current school board members have made. I feel decisions being made lack forward thinking and many are fiscally irresponsible. One issue that motivated me to run was the current referendum voted to be put on the April 2017 ballot. I feel less expensive alternatives should have been explored further to deal with expected student growth. I feel asking taxpayers to bare the burden of a 42 million dollar referendum is unfair when current tax payers are still paying for the last referendum.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?I think the current process for measuring student success in the district is adequate. If I were to propose a change it would be to offer an enrichment program to the young students who are exceling. currently the district only offers enrichment to students in 4th grade and above. If our gifted students aren't challenged they might appear successful but my be unable to reach full potential if not pushed beyond the regular measure of success.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?I believe that the role of the Board of Education should be employing qualified staff to implement and execute an appropriate curriculum. In addition the board should hold that staff to a high standard of accountability to ensure the curriculum created and used will prepared our students for success in continuing education. I think our current curriculum needs to be reevaluated to ensure we are challenging students enough and preparing the properly for the next level of education upon exited our district. I fear that many of our students are not being challenged enough and are ill prepared when the get to high school.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?I do not believe our district has budget issues in regards to the day to day operations (salaries, building maintenance, programming ect.) that will require programs and expenses to be reduced or eliminated.The biggest financial issue for our district is planning to accomidate expected student growth coming to our area in the upcoming years. If the referendum doesn't pass in April and the Board continues on with the plan to build a kindergarten center the schools could be left with little to no reserves to deal with current overcrowding that some schools in the district are experiencing. At this time I do not support a tax or fee increase. I feel the current plan on the referendum is way to expensive and alternative less expensive options should be looked into. If a reasonable plan was proposed I would not object to a smaller tax increase if a reasonable project was selected and was unable to be funded by school reserves.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?Other than the dual language program school choice does not play a large role in our district. District 73 used to have choice schools within the district but has moved to a neighborhood schools system. I would be interested in the district reverting back to choice schools within the district.I do not feel a voucher system would greatly effect our district at this time because there are not many private options in out area. Also with the excellent reputation district 73 public schools have I don't think vouchers would lead to a mass exodus of students from our public schools. Although I am not a big supporter of the voucher system it could bring relief to our crowded schools if some residents chose to use vouchers to send their children to private or charter schools.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am very concerned about our students not having an appropriate technology curriculum. I think its very important on be implemented soon. Technology is such a large part of day to day life and I don't want out students falling further behind. Even though the district is supposed to be giving the students tablets next year there is no curriculum in place for the students to utilize the devices. I find that unacceptable and is an example of the lack of forward thinking that has plagued the district in past years.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elizabeth Warren. Super intelligent and fights for what she believes in.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To be kind to people and treat others how you would like to be treated.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?High school. After having children I realized how lucky I was to have access to great schools and could have used my time there better.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Government. I am able to watch government processes unfold with an understanding of how they work even if i don't agree with outcomes.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others with dignity, respect and kindness but do not let yourself become a door mat for others to walk on.